From a legislative perspective: a fourfold conceptual definition and distinction between "Information" and "Data"
Jin Yulu
Law School, Tsinghua University
Abstract: Due to the lack of clear distinction between the concepts of information and data in both legislation and theoretical research, personal information and data, as well as personal information and personal data, are often used interchangeably. This has led to ongoing disputes over the definition and scope of data property rights. After analyzing the concepts of information and data from four dimensions—factual, multidisciplinary, normativeand theoretical research,it is found the view that information and data are fundamentally different and hold distinct normative significance. Information refers to all types of knowledge, news, and content within human society, while data is an electronic form of recording or expressing of information,so data is a subset of information. In Chinese legal texts and theoretical research, the concepts of personal information and personal data also hold distinct legal significance.
Key words : information; data; personal information; personal data; personal information property right; data property right